KUALA LUMPUR (July 7): Boustead Properties and South Korea-based KMT Group on Thursday (July 7) signed a document of understanding (DOU) to bring in the first K Plus Food Market grocer outlet to The Curve shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

According to a press statement, K Plus Food Market will occupy approximately 30,000 sq ft on the ground floor of The Curve. The opening of the grocer in the fourth quarter will be followed by Dae Ga Korean Grill and Barbeque restaurant later this year.

“As a premier neighbourhood shopping mall with an eclectic blend of food, commercial and retail outlets, The Curve is always looking to partner with dynamic tenants who can provide Malaysian shoppers with a unique mall experience. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we enhanced our tenant mix with more than 20 new tenants signing in the first half of 2022, which is a testament to our resilience and adaptability. The latest addition of the premium South Korean grocer as an anchor tenant comprises approximately 5% of net lettable area, which is significant for a single tenancy,” said Boustead Properties chief executive officer Khairul Azizi Ismail.

He added that given how the popularity of South Korean culture continues to shape the lifestyle of consumers, K Plus Food Market will certainly elevate The Curve’s tenant mix.

“The DOU also involves collaborating with KMT Group on thematic events on our premises. With these new offerings, we will broaden the mall’s appeal to a wider consumer base by targeting the growing youth market influenced by South Korean culture and as a result boost foot traffic,” Khairul noted.

Meanwhile, KMT Group chairman Datuk Matthew Lee commented that the establishment of K Plus Food Market as a concept store at The Curve will allow the company to strategically expand while maintaining product quality and affordability.

“All products to be retailed at The Curve will be vetted by a dedicated team of experts who will base their selection on how the products fare in the South Korean market. We are grateful to The Curve for seeing the potential and helping us to realise our dream of setting up this concept store to share the South Korean world through our unique products,” he said.

The grocer will provide easy access to premium, authentic and affordably priced South Korean products, ranging from food and cosmetics to homeware essentials. Among the Curve’s other new tenants this year are Me’nate, Tasty Chapathi, Kapten Batik, Fazura, Congkak, Cosmo Thai and many more.

The DOU was signed on Thursday by Boustead Curve Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Eason Phan and K Ecomart (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Benny Lim, and witnessed by Khairul, Korea Agro Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation president Kim Choon-jin and Lee.